Podcast Summary: Lost Boys Episode: Why the Problems of Young Men Are Ignored, with Richard Reeves
Release Date: May 15, 2025
Hosts: Anthony Scaramucci and Scott Galloway
Guest: Richard Reeves

1. Introduction and Recap

In the opening segment of this episode, Anthony Scaramucci welcomes listeners to "Lost Boys," a podcast dedicated to exploring the challenges young men face in contemporary America. He references the previous episode featuring Richard Reeves, author of Called to Men, highlighting the declining performance of young men in various aspects of life, including education, relationships, and the workplace.

Notable Quote:

Anthony (01:04): "In our last episode, Scott Galloway and I spoke with author and researcher Richard Reeves... young men are doing worse in school, relationships, and the workplace than ever before."

2. The Overlooked Crisis of Young Men

Anthony introduces the central theme of the episode: the societal neglect of the struggles faced by young men. He poses a provocative question about whether improving conditions for men would adversely affect women, asserting that such a zero-sum perspective is flawed.

Notable Quote:

Anthony (01:04): "We're going to talk about why the challenges young men face is an issue that's been ignored."

3. Counterarguments and Rebuttals

To stimulate discussion, Anthony adopts a devil's advocate position, suggesting that historical white male privilege has set the stage for the current counterbalances, including advancements for women. This approach aims to address common pushbacks against focusing on male issues.

Notable Quotes:

Anthony (01:04): "I don't believe all that. I'm playing the devil's advocate because I want you to respond to it because that's some of the policy pushback."

Richard Reeves (02:42): "You can't have a conversation about solutions to problems that people aren't agreed are problems."

4. The Role of Political Dynamics

Scott Galloway shares insights on how political narratives have influenced public perceptions of privilege and disadvantage. He discusses the "Red army effect," likening the overreactions to historical privilege discussions to post-liberation violence. Scott emphasizes the need to recognize and address current disadvantages without unfairly blaming specific groups.

Notable Quote:

Scott Galloway (04:38): "If you stop saying to men, we need you to come and do this, they don't do it and women end up doing it... it's bad for both."

5. Communicating with Mothers and Families

The conversation shifts to understanding the concerns of mothers whose sons are struggling. Anthony highlights voting patterns where many women supported Donald Trump, driven by fears that the system favors men and neglects their sons' well-being. He seeks Richard's advice on addressing these maternal concerns effectively.

Notable Quote:

Anthony (06:39): "We're not blaming women for taking those opportunities, which, by the way, most people do not."

6. The Importance of Mentorship and Male Teachers

Richard Reeves and Scott Galloway delve into the critical role of mentorship and male educators in supporting young men. They stress the decline in male teachers and coaches, advocating for increased recruitment and support for these roles to provide the necessary guidance and structure for young men.

Notable Quotes:

Richard Reeves (07:50): "We need to pay teachers a lot more... and encourage volunteering through things like Big Brothers, Big Sisters."

Scott Galloway (20:02): "We have to be better men. We have to get involved in a boy's life."

7. Structural and Legislative Solutions

The hosts and guest discuss comprehensive solutions to uplift young men, emphasizing legislative changes such as tax policies favoring young workers, national service programs, and incentives to increase male participation in education and mentorship. Scott proposes specific measures like tax holidays for young people and enhanced support for male teachers.

Notable Quotes:

Scott Galloway (27:03): "If you could pass one law right now, it would be a massive recruitment drive for male teachers."

Richard Reeves (34:18): "The teaching profession should have more men in front of our boys... it's a cultural shame."

8. Final Thoughts and Call to Action

In concluding the episode, Richard emphasizes the necessity of a targeted call to men to take active roles in mentoring and supporting young boys. Anthony and Scott agree on the importance of systemic change and the need for both legislative action and cultural shifts to address the ongoing crisis faced by young men.

Notable Quote:

Richard Reeves (33:00): "We need to say specifically to boys and to men, we need you to do this."

Scott Galloway (36:10): "This is a bipartisan issue... there are just as many Republicans out there worried about their boys as Democrats."

Conclusion

This episode of "Lost Boys" provides a deep dive into the often-overlooked struggles of young men in America. Through thoughtful dialogue, Anthony Scaramucci, Scott Galloway, and Richard Reeves explore the societal neglect of male issues, debunk zero-sum thinking, and advocate for structural and legislative changes to foster resilience and success among young men. The discussion underscores the importance of mentorship, male educators, and targeted policy interventions to reverse the current trends of declining male well-being.

For more information, visit www.lostboys.men.